Refreshing Winds; Finding REST

It’s Springtime! One of my favorite seasons. I love waking up to the sound of sparrows. And other birds that come perch on my backyard trees. Days start to get longer, snow begins to melt as the weather gets warmer, (well at least back home in Michigan), animals awaken from hibernation, refreshing winds begin to blow, plants begin to grow and flowers bloom as rain begins to water the earth. I remember as a little girl the joy of running in the soft spring rain, jumping in puddles, picking my favorite bright yellow dandelions, and watching and waiting for each dandelion to get to its seed head stage. Picking them and blowing them on a windy day was a simple pleasure.

It's a beautiful season we get to enjoy. A season that is in constant motion, and change.

This Season marks the change and transition of the dormant state of Winter

to the renewing rhythm of Spring.

I pray this season in your spiritual walk with the Lord-

the fresh winds of the Holy Spirit breathe life into all the dormant places and brings you a refreshing and rest.

How often in our Christian walk have we felt as if we were in a state of dormancy? Of spiritual hibernation? Or moments when we're just too tired? In need of a refreshing?

I have been there during different seasons in my life.

I'm from Michigan and during the winter season, it can get pretty dark and stormy. There were winter seasons as a young mom when I felt spiritually stagnant. As if I were in a state of hibernation. Where depression had settled in. I was in deep spiritual sleep. Moving to the rhythm of winter. I needed a refreshing - an awakening.

What happens at different stages in our faith journey that lead us to that place of spiritual drought and dormancy?

ONE CAUSE TO CONSIDER IS WEARINESS

AND TODAY I WANT TO FOCUS ON WEARINESS

According to dictionary.com; to be weary is; to be physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc. which leads someone to feel fatigued.

In the Merriam-webster dictionary, to be weary is; to be exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness. Or having one's patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted.

I can get exhausted quite often especially tending to my littles.

We are limited in our human strength. We get tired. It's a normal part of life. At times we'll feel beaten, burnt-out, drained, exhausted, and fatigued; as parents, students, at work, in our careers, and in Ministry. In many different areas of life. In times of waiting, in times of loss, and in times of waiting for dreams to be fulfilled.

Moments that seem so overwhelming and burdensome.

Moments when we truly need deep, deep REST.

The Great News is that in CHRIST we can always find REST.

HE is our REST.

So what happens when in life, and life's circumstances we get so exhausted to the point of affecting us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? How does it get to that point?

Why do we get weary spiritually?

Many times we become weary in doing all the good things God asks of us in our daily lives because we haven't seen the outcome we've been waiting and hoping for.

It could be months and even years we've been waiting on God for something.

We become weary of seeing the same o same o.

We are exhorted by God's Word today;" to not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

Don't give up. Don't give in. Your breakthrough is around the corner. Keep trusting. Keep believing.

WEARINESS IS ONE OF THE TACTICS OF THE ENEMY

When we are exhausted physically, in our soul, and spirit;

it can become a foothold for the devil, and he can take advantage of that frail state.

-WEARINESS ROBS US OF OUR JOY

-WEARINESS IS THE ENEMY'S TACTIC TO DRAIN US

AND MOVE OUR FOCUS OFF OF GOD AND OUR MISSION, TO HOW WE FEEL

I've seen it in my own life when those moments of weariness become overbearing.

And I have lost the desire to fight all that weariness.

In these moments I have a choice to make- to stay as I am, wallowing in my sentiment, or push through- go back to the fountain of Living Water. The True Source of Strength and Life. And find REST for my soul.

We must intentionally choose to shake the weariness off and seek God - The Fountain of Living Water. As we press in by reading His Word and in prayer, His Word will do its good work in our minds. Renewing and transforming our thoughts. We gain the mind of Christ and began to be refreshed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit begins to move in our lives and brings a refreshing, renewal, and revival to our weary souls.

Jesus promises to give you REST.

Choose this moment to release all the WEARINESS to the Lord.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:11; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He promises to give you REST, but you must choose to go to Him.

The invitation is open to all! Isn't that great?

Take a step of faith. Run to Him. Surrender every area of your life to Jesus Christ.

The Fountain of Living Water. Let Him be the Lord of your life. Let Him be your REST.

Allow God to reveal Himself to you in ways He hasn't before.

Christ's REST is the antidote for weariness.

God created REST. It is something we must learn to receive.

Christ is our REST. The invitation has been given. Now it is up to us.

So how do we truly find REST?

-Be intentional and consistent in cultivating quiet times in God's presence

-Learn to let go and surrender

-Cast each burden before Jesus

-Learn to be still and know that He is God (See; Psalm 46:10)

-Read and meditate on HIS Word

When we learn to REST in Christ, in His presence; we allow the Holy Spirit to move on our life in a very special way. His fresh wind and renewing rain begin to be poured out upon our lives.

In dictionary.com; the meaning of REST is; the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep, refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor, relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs, a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquility mental or spiritual calm; tranquility.

In dictionary.com ; the meaning of REFRESH; is to provide new vigor and energy by REST, food, etc. to make fresh again.

When was the last time you had a deep and restful sleep?

I pray Psalm 4:8 (AMP) over you and declare that tonight; In peace and with a tranquil heart you will lie down and sleep, for the Lord is your safety and your confident trust.

We find an example of this Refreshed Rest in; (Exodus 31:16-18) (v17b), ..." and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

In Hebrew, the word used here is naw-fash' which means to breathe and to be breathed upon.

To be refreshed (as if by a current of air) …

May the Holy Spirit breathe life upon all the dormant and stagnant places in your life now in Jesus' Name.

Aren't you thankful that we can find true REST for our souls?

When we find this REST in HIM, we find His fresh wind and renewing rain of His Spirit.

Throughout Scripture wind and rain represent the powerful move of the Holy Spirit.

May His fresh wind and living water refresh and renew your soul today.

God promises winds of refreshing for the weary

Ruach is the Hebrew Word for Spirit, breath, or wind. It refers to the Holy Spirit Himself. He is God. He is the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is always moving...

"Ruach Elohim was hovering upon the surface of the water." Genesis 1:2 (TLV)

Consider the following Scriptures and allow God's Word to renew your soul;

"He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake." (Psalm 23:3 AMP)

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." (Ps 119:28 NIV)

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jeremiah 31:25 NIV)

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

(Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)

As you take hold of what the Lord is saying to you in this blog post;

I pray that you may soar with renewed strength as eagles with the wind of the Spirit.

Don't Quit. Press In. Christ's REST is yours in Jesus' Name.

Your friend in Christ,

Ruthy Villanueva